"I Don't Have a Problem if Supreme Court Allows Mahama to Seek Third Term': Former NPP Chairman

• Former NPP Chairman Freddie Blay said he had no issue if the Supreme Court cleared John Mahama for a third term
• He emphasised the apex court's authority to interpret the constitution and urged Ghanaians to respect its decisions
• Blay's remarks come amid rising public debate and speculation over Mahama’s possible 2028 comeback bid
• A private legal practitioner shared his views on this matter under a condition of animosity in an interview with YEN.com.gh

Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Freddie Blay has stated that he has no problem with the Supreme Court interpreting the constitution to allow former President John Mahama to seek a third term.

Speaking to Oyerepa TV, Blay emphasised that the Supreme Court had the authority to interpret the constitution and that its decisions should be respected.

He noted that if the court were to allow President Mahama to run for a third term, he would not have any issues with it.

"The law is in the bosom of the judges. If it goes to the Supreme Court, which has the exclusive judicial right to interpret the Constitution, and that body decides that what it means by two terms is conservatively this or that, I don't have a problem with it."

"The law court does not vote for a president. The individuals who constitute a panel and may look at a case have only one vote each. It's the people of this country who will vote," he added.

Debates on constitutional interpretation of Ghana's presidency

The former NPP National Chairman's comments come in the wake of an ongoing debate about the interpretation of the presidential term of office, amid speculations that President Mahama is aiming for a third-term bid.

This speculation has sparked intense discussion among Ghanaians on mainstream media and social media, with many eagerly waiting to see if the two-time leader would run for office again in 2028.

Freddie Blay said if the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) decided to field Mahama again as their candidate in 2028, it would be within their rights to do so as a political party.

The Facebook post with Blay's comments about a possible third term for President Mahama is below:

Ghanaians react to Mahama's third term debate

Ghanaians on social media have shared their views on the ongoing debates about whether or not President Mahama would seek a third-term bid in 2028.

YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the reactions below:

@Ali Mohammed Salim said:

"Is not John mahama who is seeking third term, we the citizens will force him."

@Kwame Nkrumah also said:

"The constitution only allows for 2 terms why 3rd term at the moment? Ghana need to follow America 🇺🇸 and UK 🇬🇧 constitutional rule. John Mahama couldn't force himself on 3rd term rule on Ghanaians. What track records in in terms of good governance is he having?"

@Suleman Abdul-qadir commented:

"It all depends on his works. For that one it will not be the constitution that will determine but we the citizens."

Benard Obiri, a private legal practitioner, who spoke to YEN.com.gh under a condition of anonymity, stated that the 1992 Ghanaian Constitution allows a person to serve as president for only two terms of four years each. However, he said that if the president should seek a third term, there must be an amendment to Chapter 8 of the Constitution.

"Chapter 8 of the 1992 Constitution provides for executive powers. Under Article 66, a person can be president in Ghana for a period of 4 years. Clause 2 states that a person shall be elected as president for only two terms," he said.

"For the president to have the chance to stand for a third term, there needs to be a variation of Chapter 8 of the 1992 Constitution, i.e., the number of terms a person can be elected president. This can be done in two ways: Through an amendment of the Constitution, i.e., Chapter 8.Through the interpretive powers of the Supreme Court under Articles 2 and 130," he further.

"With the first option, Chapter 8 is an entrenched provision under Chapter 25. Under Chapter 25, a provision can be amended by an Act of Parliament, which must be approved by Parliament after being approved by the Judicial Council.Now, the Act must be made specifically for the amendment of such a provision of the Constitution, and it shall not proceed to Parliament unless submitted to the citizens who are qualified to vote in a referendum. The rules for the referendum apply," he added.

"The second one is to seek the interpretation power of the supreme court under article 2 and article 130 of the 1992 constitution. And if the court rule in their favour, then Mahama can go for a third term," he further stated.

Joyce Bawa dismisses Mahama third-term claims

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported that a Special Aide to the President, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, dismissed claims about Mahama's third-term bid.

The NPP, through Alexander Afenyo-Markin, had alleged that the President's judicial nominations were part of an agenda to serve another term.

However, in a Facebook post, Bawa Mogtari described the speculation by Afenyo-Makin as a figment of the opposition leader's imagination.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh